innercalling

Could AI be conscious? What exactly is consciousness in the first place? I ask my teacher Rev. Konrad Ryushin Marchaj for a conversation on AI, consciousness, plant medicine, as well as the nature of oneness. Ryushin draws on 40 years of Buddhist practice and his work with sacred plant medicine to explore ordinary versus extraordinary states of consciousness, why separateness is an illusion, and what this all means about consciousness. We talk about intimacy with reality, and what happens when we simply pay attention to the present moment. Then the conversation takes an unexpected turn when we explore: if everything is made of the same fabric of reality, where does AI fit in?***Rev. Konrad Ryushin Marchaj, is a Zen priest in the tradition of Zen Buddhism, and a dharma heir of the late John Daido Loori, Roshi. Ryushin Sensei was the abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Born in Warsaw, Poland, he immigrated to the United States in 1967. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Yale University in 1976, and his medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1980. He worked first as a pediatrician in Portland, Maine, later serving in the US Navy as a physician for three years. He then returned to Albany for postgraduate training in psychiatry. After completing his residency, he served as medical director for a community psychiatric outreach program, the Mobile Crisis Team, which served Albany County’s disenfranchised and homeless population. He entered full-time residential training at the Monastery in 1992. In addition to his roles as the Monastery’s abbot and director of operations, he explored contemplative practices in higher education, collaborating with several liberal arts educators and administrators in the Northeast to look at ways for college students to engage religious practice as part of their education. He has been practicing Buddhism since 1983. Since 2014, he has been rigorously exploring and training in ayahuasca ceremonies in various traditions, guided by several teachers. Drawing on his background as a physician and psychiatrist, Ryushin’s infectious interest and thorough training in the workings of the mind and compassionate expression of unconditional love, combined with his skill at translating complex concepts into the accessible, everyday language, characterize his unique teaching style. Currently, he resides and guides at River Refuge Zen Temple in Roxbury, Connecticut.Contact: Ryushin Marchaj at 845-282-4278 or fusanryushin@gmail.com***LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4***CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA Podcast Website: www.innercalling.orgDr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranadeHope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com* * * *WHAT IS INNERCALLING?innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.WHO IS DR. VICTORIA? Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. ✌🏼💛

I believe everything is energy and that this is obvious and not woo woo at all. Chinese medicine refers to energy as qi, and it is a fundamental part of understanding life and health. In this episode, I invite Deng Ming-Dao, author and Taoist teacher, to talk about what the heck qi is, why it makes complete sense, what Western medicine is critically missing.***Deng Ming-Dao studied qigong, internal martial arts, and meditation under Taoist master Kwan Saihung for thirteen years. He is the author of 365 Tao, Chronicles of Tao, and Scholar Warrior, among other books translated into fifteen languages. His work explores how ancient Taoist practices, including the cultivation of qi, can be integrated into modern life.***In this episode of innercalling, Dr. Victoria Ranade interviews Deng Ming-Dao, an author and martial artist who has practiced Daoism throughout his life, to explore Qi as breath and universal energy, the mind-body integration in traditional Chinese medicine, the spiritual dimensions of martial arts practice, and how societal structures suppress our natural vitality. They discuss the importance of checking in with one's energy, the decline of intact communities, and living in balance with the Dao by supporting all life.***LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4***CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA Podcast Website: www.innercalling.orgDr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranadeHope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com* * * *WHAT IS INNERCALLING?innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.WHO IS DR. VICTORIA? Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. Fun fact: You're one of my greatest inspirations. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:info@innercalling.org 1069 W Broad StSTE 804Falls Church, VA 22046#drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast

I've been wondering how best to support students, kids, and young adults with AI, so I reached out to one of the most brilliant scientists, leaders, and visionaries I know — Dr. Carl Lejuez, Provost of Stony Brook University. He is a former clinical psychology mentor of mine who had a huge impact on my career and taught me a lot about leadership. Whenever he talks, I listen — so of course I invited him on the show to share his thoughts with us.***Carl W. Lejuez is the provost at Stony Brook University, New York State’s top-ranked public university and a flagship of the State University of New York. As the university’s chief academic officer, he oversees a broad portfolio of schools and colleges; academic services; and research centers and institutes. He is also renowned in the field of Clinical Psychology, with research that focuses on the use of basic laboratory research findings for the development of behavioral interventions to address a wide range of psychological conditions including mood disorders, addictions, and personality disorders for marginalized and underserved populations.***0:00 innercalling: why a provost followed purpose over comfort2:00 Redefining success: happiness vs. value in leadership4:00 Ego and leadership: the hardest thing about stepping up6:00 How a university provost actually uses AI day to day8:00 The one rule for using AI: never first, never last9:00 Using AI for self-reflection and psychological honesty11:00 Is using AI cheating? Where is the line for students?14:00 Why students are afraid of being accused of AI cheating16:00 First-generation college students and the AI gap18:00 Moving from fear to creativity with AI in education20:00 Can AI help you become a better leader?25:00 How to stop AI from being sycophantic26:00 Advice for parents: how to use AI with your kids27:00 AI removes friction, but friction is how we learn30:00 AI limitations: why humans are still more creative32:00 Should parents be worried about AI?35:00 Honest leadership and the power of self-examination36:00 The difference between solving problems and empowering others40:00 The future of AI: what life could look like in 100 years***LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4***CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIAPodcast Website: www.innercalling.orgDr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranadeHope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com* * * *WHAT IS INNERCALLING?innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP, that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is an authentic, unhurried conversation that honors nuance, truth, the human spirit, and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?Hi, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board-certified clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a proud neurodivergent first-generation Taiwanese American and Welsh Terrier lover. Rooted in the humanistic tradition of clinical psychology, I created this podcast because I believe in the healing power of organic conversation, and because I want you to know that whatever you may be facing, you're not alone.I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:drvictoria@innercalling.org

I've been trying to understand AI on a more in depth, nuanced level, but all I could find were youtube videos predicting AGI and the eventual doom of the human species. I found this awesome book called The AI Con and am excited to host one of the authors, Dr. Emily M. Bender, on the show today. We talk about how language shapes our understanding of AI, the dangers of synthetic text generation, accountability in tech companies, and the importance of human connection. We reflect on how chatbots exploit our natural language processing, the environmental costs of large language models, and how to stay connected with our humanity even with the rise of this new technology. ***Dr. Emily M. Bender is a Professor of Linguistics and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Computer Science and the Information School at the University of Washington. Her research interests include multilingual grammar engineering, computational semantics, and the societal impacts of language technology. She is the co-author of recent influential papers such as Climbing towards NLU: On Meaning, Form, and Understanding in the Age of Data (ACL 2020) and On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big? 🦜(FAcct 2021) and the book (with sociologist Dr. Alex Hanna), The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want.In her public scholarship, Bender brings linguistic insights to lay audiences to cut through the hype about "AI" and facilitate understanding of the actual functionality of the systems being sold under that name. In 2022 she was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and in September 2023 she was included in the first-ever TIME100AI list.https://faculty.washington.edu/ebender/bsky: @emilymbender.bsky.socialfedi: @emilymbender@dair-community.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebender/***SHOW LINKSLook behind the curtain: Don’t be dazzled by claims of ‘artificial intelligence’. Emily M. Bender. The Seattle Times May 11, 2022.The Myth of AGI, Alex Hanna and Emily M. Bender, Tech Policy Press, June 3, 2025.https://faculty.washington.edu/ebender/stochasticparrots/Moral crumple zones: https://estsjournal.org/index.php/ests/article/view/260***LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4***CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIAPodcast Website: www.innercalling.orgDr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranadeHope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com* * * *WHAT IS INNERCALLING?innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors nuance, truth, the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?Hi, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board-certified clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a proud neurodivergent first-generation Taiwanese American and Welsh Terrier lover. Rooted in the humanistic tradition of clinical psychology, I created this podcast because I believe in the healing power of organic conversation, and because I want you to know that whatever you may be facing, you're not alone.I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:drvictoria@innercalling.org

Dr. Nancy Wadsworth is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver whose work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, race, religion, and social movements. She's the author of Ambivalent Miracles: Evangelicals and the Politics of Racial Healing and has written for The Washington Post, Vox, and The Denver Post. With a PhD from the New School for Social Research, Nancy brings both deep scholarship and a commitment to combining academic rigor with public discourse — exploring power, identity, and how ordinary people create change. https://nancywadsworth.com/***Today on innercalling, Drs. Victoria and Nancy Wadsworth break down the difference between grounded power and toxic power. Nancy reflects on how power feels different in the body, why confirmation bias can work for or against us depending on our beliefs, the courage required to follow intuition over external approval, and what leaders like Desmond Tutu and Michelle Obama teach us about holding power with dignity.***LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4***CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA Podcast Website: www.innercalling.orgDr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranadeHope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com* * * *WHAT IS INNERCALLING?innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.WHO IS DR. VICTORIA? Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. Fun fact: I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:info@innercalling.org 1069 W Broad StSTE 804Falls Church, VA 22046#drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast

This is the second episode in our series on Reclaiming Power. In this one, Nancy and I dig into the Epstein files, elite networks, and what we can actually do when the systems meant to protect us fail. I hope it's helpful to you!Content warning: This episode discusses sexual assault, the Epstein case, trafficking, and the psychological dynamics of destructive power. Listener discretion is advised***Dr. Nancy Wadsworth is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver whose work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, race, religion, and social movements. She's the author of *Ambivalent Miracles: Evangelicals and the Politics of Racial Healing* and has written for The Washington Post, Vox, and The Denver Post. With a PhD from the New School for Social Research, Nancy brings both deep scholarship and a commitment to combining academic rigor with public discourse — exploring power, identity, and how ordinary people create change. https://nancywadsworth.com/***LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c400:00 — Introduction: powerlessness and what's happening in the world00:04 — Destructive power vs. grounded power00:05 — Epstein files: elite networks and unaccountable power00:10 — Agency: power as capacity to influence outcomes00:14 — Epstein: how power moves through elite circles00:20 — Why did Epstein's abuse get so extreme before exposure?00:25 — Epstein's rise: charisma, charm, lies, failing up00:30 — Epstein's emails: arrogance, dehumanization, blasé cruelty00:37 — Collusion of power: NDAs, secrecy, destructive power over bodies00:41 — Sex as instrument of power: rape culture, patriarchy00:48 — Wounded power: soul wounds beneath destructive leaders00:55 — Narcissism and power: which comes first?00:58 — Leadership: moral compass, true north, grounded power01:00 — Wise Mind: inner wisdom, Dialectical Behavior Therapy01:05 — Using your platform: therapists, activists, local agency01:11 — Cracks in power: resistance, Jenga metaphor01:14 — Paradigm shift: empire falling as opportunity for renewal01:21 — Mass movements: protest, pressure on institutions01:41 — History: slavery, Jim Crow, women's rights01:46 — Advice for young people01:54 — Preview of Part 3: grounded powerCONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIAPodcast Website: www.innercalling.orgDr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranadeHope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com* * * *WHAT IS INNERCALLING?innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. Fun fact: I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:info@innercalling.org1069 W Broad StSTE 804Falls Church, VA 22046#drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast

Dr. Victoria Ranade and creative producers Carlisle and Western wrap up the innercalling Book Club with the final chapters of Kristen Kish's memoir, Accidentally on Purpose. In this closing conversation,we reflect on Kristen's remarkable full-circle journey from a teenager who felt she didn't belong, to a celebrated chef, Top Chef host, and woman fully at home in herself and her life. We explore what it means to surrender control without losing agency, how trusting your inner truth opens doors you never planned for, and why authentic community becomes the foundation for everything. We also touch on representation, identity, and queer visibility.[00:00] — Welcome & intro to the final Book Club episode[00:45] — First reactions: the ending as a "happily ever after" wrap-up[02:00] — Full circle: from needing control to trusting flow[03:45] — The closing passage: "we intend for the unintended"[05:00] — Wanting something vs. needing it — and the faith that comes from community[06:00] — Taoism, flow states, and life beyond your original goals[07:00] — The trip to Korea: letting go of the planned narrative[08:30] — Meeting Bianca and the friends-to-lovers arc[09:30] — Arlo Gray, synchronicity, and the plate called "Arlo"[11:00] — How Kristen became the host of Top Chef (Western's favorite part)[12:00] — Most relatable moments: middle school, hiding, finding yourself (Carlisle's pick)[13:00] — COVID, the restaurant industry, and what was left on the page[14:30] — Who should read this book?[16:00] — Representation matters: seeing yourself makes the possible feel real[17:00] — The audiobook moment: Kristen crying on her wedding morning[18:00] — Hot takes on the ending — appetizer, main course, dessert[20:00] — What we're carrying with us: focus, saying yes, and finding your place[22:30] — Closing thoughts + call for next Book Club suggestionsCONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIAPodcast Website: www.innercalling.orgDr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranadeHope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com* * * *WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:info@innercalling.org1069 W Broad StSTE 804Falls Church, VA 22046

I've been trying to process everything going on in the world these days by studying history, watching documentaries, talking with friends and family, patients and people in the community. Based on all of this, it seems that many of us are wondering: what's going on, and how the did we get here??! That's why I invited my good friend Dr. Nancy Wadsworth to the show. She is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver. She has been studying power for the last 30 years. I asked her to help us understand what is going on in the world from the perspective of power. Why is it that we feel so disempowered, and how can we get our power back? Why does power corrupt? This is our series on Reclaiming Power, and this is the first episode. I hope it's helpful to you!***Dr. Nancy Wadsworth is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver whose work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, race, religion, and social movements. She's the author of *Ambivalent Miracles: Evangelicals and the Politics of Racial Healing* and has written for The Washington Post, Vox, and The Denver Post. With a PhD from the New School for Social Research, Nancy brings both deep scholarship and a commitment to combining academic rigor with public discourse — exploring power, identity, and how ordinary people create change. https://nancywadsworth.com/***LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c400:00 — why none of us feel okay right now01:00 —Nancy left a 24-year career to follow her inner calling03:00 — the week everything fell apart at once04:00 — what's really broken about higher education07:00 — does Nancy regret leaving? her honest answer09:00 — what a political scientist learned by turning toward the heart10:00 — why so many of us feel helpless and don't know where to start14:00 — what actually is power? (it's not what you think)15:00 — power vs. agency — the difference that changes everything18:00 — power over, power with, power within — which one are you missing?24:00 — what justifies power? (and who decides)28:00 — what actually puts the brakes on power?31:00 — how democracies are supposed to keep power in check46:00 — Greenland, Venezuela, and what's really going on47:00 — why does the hunger for power never stop?51:00 — is the will to dominate just human nature?54:00 — why authoritarianism is rising all over the world right now59:00 — is democracy actually in crisis?1:01:00 — what can one person actually do about any of this?1:03:00 — what is a general strike and could it work?1:04:00 — the most powerful thing you can do right now1:15:00 — it only takes 3.5% of people to change everything1:17:00 — what comes next in the power seriesCONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIAPodcast Website: www.innercalling.orgDr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranadeHope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com* * * *WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:info@innercalling.org1069 W Broad StSTE 804Falls Church, VA 22046

I'm turning 40 this year and it's gotten me thinking about death and existence. I've always struggled with knowing that I'd die one day. That's why I've decided to lean into learning more about death to understand what it might have to teach us about life. My guest today is Deborah Pascuzzi, who serves as an End of Life Companion and Complementary Alternative Medicine Certified Practitioner. We talk about: Death & dying:What it's actually like to be present at the moment of deathFeeling a loved one's presence after they passSigns and communication from those who have diedHow death has been medicalized and taken out of our handsEnd of life wisdom:What people regret at the end of their livesHow the dying teach us to live differentlyThe difference between quantity and quality of lifeReclaiming agency over your own deathSpirituality & presence:The soul and what happens after deathSynchronicities and what they meanEnergy, essence, and how we sense othersBeing fully present vs. living in your headPersonal journeys:How Deborah's mother's death called her into this workLeaving corporate life to follow an inner callingHer husband's death and turning an ICU into a sacred spacePractical & psychological:Why we avoid talking about death as a cultureHow facing mortality can reduce anxiety about livingWhat end of life doulas actually doThe fear underneath our relationship with death**Deborah Pascuzzi serves as an End of Life Companion and Complementary Alternative Medicine Certified Practitioner. She is skilled at building partnerships with clients to enable profound self healing and transformation. She helps clients establish balance and wholeness through the use of the energy based therapy of Healing Touch and Qigong. Deborah moved to Green Valley Arizona in 2021 and enjoys sharing her expertise and wisdom as an End of Life Companion.***EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction: turning 40 scream joy , mortality, and why we avoid talking about death02:05 – Meeting Deborah: what an end-of-life companion really does04:30 – Deborah’s first experience with death: her mother’s passing07:20 – Presence after death: sensing essence beyond the body10:15 – Signs, feathers, and ongoing connection with loved ones13:40 – Why death makes us uncomfortable as a culture16:10 – Death as a teacher: emotions, presence, and meaning19:05 – Storytelling at the end of life: legacy and being heard22:45 – Harvesting wisdom, confession, and emotional release26:30 – Curiosity and awe: unconditional love without judgment29:15 – Companioning the dying: surrender, planning, and letting go33:40 – Graceful vs. difficult deaths: regret, resistance, and peace38:10 – “Don’t wait”: what dying people teach us about living41:55 – Legacy work and ethical wills: preserving soul stories46:20 – Grief, widowhood, and walking the path together50:05 – Rituals, celebration of life, and honoring the dead53:40 – Miracles, synchronicity, and being in flow56:40 – Listening to your inner calling and becoming a companion59:30 – Closing reflections: awe, presence, and walking each other home ***RESOURCES MENTIONED:The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life by Katie ButlerThe Five Invitations by Frank OstaseskiThe Tibetian Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal RinpochePODCAST LINKS:✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAXSOCIAL LINKS:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranadeWORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com